Estonia has officially opened its first military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) training center in the northern village of Nurmsi, marking a significant advancement in the country’s defense capabilities. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance drone preparations and support a variety of operations carried out by the Defence Forces, the Defence League, and allied units stationed in Estonia for military exercises.
Spanning across 1,300 square meters (approximately 13,993 square feet), the three-story training center features a striking glass tower that offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The interior is well-equipped with essential amenities, including classrooms for training, storage and sustainment bays, accommodation for personnel, sanitation facilities, and leisure areas for relaxation.
The initiative to establish this training hub began in 2021, with the project fully financed by Luxembourg at a cost of around 5 million euros (about $5.6 million). The construction contract was awarded to Paide MEK AS, a construction company based in Järva County.
Officials in Tallinn have highlighted the significance of the Nurmsi center in developing the armed forces’ UAV capabilities, which are crucial for adapting to future battlefields. According to Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the pivotal role of drones and unmanned systems in modern warfare. Pevkur emphasized the necessity of evolving drone training, asserting, “Drones are important for the development of Estonia’s defense capabilities. This field is evolving rapidly, and we must advance our drone training as well.”
The establishment of the training center is expected to broaden the Baltic nation’s training opportunities for military personnel and enhance cooperation in airborne defense with partner nations, solidifying Estonia’s commitment to modernizing its defense infrastructure and ensuring readiness for contemporary security challenges.
